Dark Moon Brother
Part Five
Return to New York
In a strange composite of an eternity and a heartbeat, Virginia, Wolf and Cub travelled through the Mirror, stepping out into bright afternoon sunshine in Central Park, New York City. Virginia blinked, feeling the familiar stomach churning sensation that came with the transfer. She wavered uncertainly a moment, knowing Wolf and Cub were experiencing the very same disorientation beside her. After a moment, it seemed that her mind finally caught up with what her body had done and her thoughts cleared abruptly. She glanced behind her, seeing the portal shimmer and wink out of sight, leaving only a tingle and a whiff of ozone to tell it had been there at all. Virginia breathed deeply, taking in the surroundings. As always, the inherent magic of the mirror had somehow engineered it so that no one was actually looking at the spot when they had appeared. It was the same season, the same time of day, and likely the very exact same day itself as back in the 4th Kingdom. It was a typical Cental Park afternoon. Folk hurried by on errands, lovers strolled by or lay on the grass embracing, endless lines of tourists alighted from buses, oohing and aahing at the famous monuments.
Virginia turned to Wolf and Cub now, smiling reassuringly at her wide-eyed son as he peeked out from his father's embrace. His green eyes were huge with wonder, she could see, but not fear, and she could see his little nose crinkling as he snuffed the air. So many new and totally foreign scents and sounds for him, she knew. Virginia wondered just how noisy and smelly the city would seem for his wolfy senses. Cub sneezed suddenly and she reached out for him as he wriggled towards her. Wolf handed him over rather absently, patting at his head. Virginia cuddled and cooed at the baby as she watched Wolf surreptiously.
He was tense, as she had known he would be. Virginia could all but see the tension radiating off him and when she looked closer she could actually see the hair along his back crest standing up in agitation against the thin fabric of his shirt. She reached out a hand to soothe it, but made no further moves or comment, happy for him to take his time inspecting the surrounding parklands. If he'd had wolf ears they would have been pricked up in attention, she knew, but what seemed just a dull rumble of underlying sound to her was a complete encyclopaedia of knowledge for him. His head turned from side to side as he scanned, his nose snuffing and mouth half open to catch the scents. Presently, he turned back to her, and smiled, but it was guarded all the same. Virginia wondered whether or not he would tell her what he had learned. He was ever so chauvanistic like that, she sighed. He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.
"So, where to first, lamb chop?" he asked her casually, but she could see the effort it took to appear calm. She played along with it anyway. No sense in upsetting Cub with his parents jumping at every shadow.
"Umm, I'm thinking to Grandmother first. We can drop most of our stuff there and catch up with the local events before we seek out an immunisation clinic"
"Fine. Will we be able to stay there with her, do you think?"
"I hope so Wolf, but it all depends on how she reacts to seeing you again. But, we do have the cutest baby ever on our side. I'm sure we can win her over if he just bats his eyelids at her!"
"Lets go then" Wolf spoke, but as they turned to shoulder their packs again, his attention was caught once more and Virginia heard him hiss softly, but in surprise, not in fear. He stepped away quickly towards an old tree and he went right up to it, placing both hands on the rough bark as he stared at something carved into it. She looked under his outstretched arms, seeing only what looked like random scratches that one might find on any old tree. Squirrels and the like did as much damage just running up and down all day. Wolf sniffed at the scratches, then traced his fingers over them, before stepping back once more. He pawed at his temple, clearly puzzled.
"How odd" he said simply, offering no explanation.
"What's odd?" asked Virginia patiently, seeing that he wasn't about to enlighten her.
"Those are wolf marks, on the tree"
"Wolfs make marks?"
"Oh yes, not many, since scent is our main way of communicating, and fullblood wolf paws aren't all that capable like that"
"I see. So what do they say? Could they be some random scratchings of a squirrel or something?"
"Yes, they could be that. Anyway, lets press on to Grandmother's house. I'm starving! Do you think she might have put a bit more meat on her bones?" Wolf deftly avoided Virginia's mock swipe at him.
"You are not to even think about eating my Grandmother!"
"Oh, you're no fun! But I promise, really really truly, not to be a bad wolfie" he simpered at her, winking all too obviously. Taking her hand, he led her away and they made their way across the open expanses of the Park.
Wolf looked back over his shoulder as they left. He was slightly calmer than a few minutes ago when they had come back through the portal. The stench and noise of the place had overwhelmed him instantly, as it had all those moons ago when he had first come blundering into New York. Cripe's, that day, he'd barely gotten used to the idea of being free from his prison cell, and then he was in an entirely different world. He had been faintly amazed that he hadn't just run off whooping into the night. But it was a wolfs natural tendency to obey the command of those who outranked them that had given him the necessary focus. Perhaps the Queen had known this all along. Plus, his years of wandering all through the many environs of the 9 Kingdoms had made him quite adaptable and he had found himself blending in with the locals quite efficiently. But, he had let his guard down when he had returned here some weeks later. Being in love, being made a hero of the realm, had resulted in his thinking he was safe and unassailable. Big mistake. Certain ranks of people in this Kingdom had taken just as vehement exception to him as any that could be found in the 9 Kingdoms.
As he ushered his family now through the Park, he still scanned relentlessly. The first scent that had come to him when they had stepped through was that of the boy, Connor. It was heavy, well entrenched, obviously the foolish man had not given up his self-appointed post. Wolf felt a sudden wariness of the man, but had resisted the urge to seek out and confront him. It was broad daylight anyway, too exposed. He would be seen. He had smelt the man's fear sweat sharply, could almost taste it, almost hear the rapid pounding of his heart. Besides, he had Cub with him, and Virginia too, and he had no wish to force an ugly showdown with them in tow. He glanced back again. The man was still there in his hiding spot. He would be a fool indeed if he attempted to follow them. Far more sense to stay where he was, knowing that his 'demon' would eventually return to it, Wolf thought soberly. Nothing to do about it now, at any rate.
His mind came back now to the other finding that had so intrigued him. Virginia was wrong. No squirrel would dare to use wolf marks, particularly in this Kingdom, where wolfs were so rare as to be almost forgotten by the rest of the woodland folk. How odd indeed. He had not scented any fullblood wolfs living in this tamed forest when he had lived here before, and the marks on the tree bore no such assurance either. Nor had they been made by claws. Wolf thought that maybe a small sharp knife had carved the marks. Yet despite all this, there they were, as plain as day to anyone who could read them.
WOLF. FRIEND. HELP?
The symbols were simple things really. A small "v" shape, meant to represent a canine tooth, that was the word "wolf". Underneath was a smaller mark, two parallel lines which meant "friend", or more literally, "one who hunts beside you". Then, next to that, two bent lines, meeting to form an eye shape, an ancient wolfish symbol for help. The position of this last mark gave away the fact that the writer was unsure of whether this help would be given or needed.
Wolf was perplexed by the marks. They were the last thing he would have expected to see on a tree in the middle of New York. They were not fresh, the original carving had been made some months ago, yet someone had taken the time to refresh them, at least twice over. Who? Wolf had been tempted to add his own mark to the tree, as in response, but he was wary still of giving himself away once more. Plus, he didn't particularly want to alarm Virginia at this point. She would likely think it another trap, a ploy from the priests, but Wolf doubted if they were involved here. Only another fullblood wolf, or a half-wolf like himself could make such clear marks. Or a human who had an intimate knowledge of wolf-kind, again not likely in this Kingdom. It's a puzzle, that's for sure, he thought, rubbing his head again as they made their way to the streetside. He had to chuckle at Cub's expression, though. His son was well wrapped up and held securely by his mother, but there was no disguising his avid stares at the many strange things to be seen in this Kingdom. His eyes were very nearly popping out of his head as he gaped at the cars, buses and trucks crammed on this strong smelling black river that his parents hustled him across.
After long tense minutes of negotiating the crowds with a curious baby who kept reaching out and trying to sniff passers by, they stood finally outside the impressive building in which resided Virginia's society queen of a Grandmother. Wolf had been less than a courteous house guest when he had last called upon the old lady, bribing his way in with flowers and pretending to be Virginia's wealthy suitor. He had often wondered what would have happened had it been Virginia who answered the door that morning. Probably would have slammed it in his face, no doubt, leaving him standing crying into his flowers in the hall. He smiled at his good fortune. Never mind that Virginia's first good look at him had been emminently less romantic, bending over her with a huge meat cleaver as he had, his body going through the motions before his nose had screamed at him just who she was. Love at first bite, almost! But he hadn't blamed her for hitting him over the head and shoving him out a window.
He hummed a little tune now as they climbed the stairs "Shepardess, makes quite a mess, but little lambs are lovely...". Virginia glared at him in mock exasperation. Behave! He curbed his wayward thoughts. This was no way to act in front of Cub, by all accounts. Virginia put a hand on his arm now, bidding him wait back out of the way whilst she rang the doorbell.
He heard shuffling coming from behind the door and a pause as someone looked through the little peep hole that human's used instead of their noses when finding out who was calling. He heard a muffled shriek of surprise and the door was flung wide suddenly and a thin arm reached out to pull both Virginia and Cub into a flowery scented embrace.
"Virginia! Is it really you? Virginia!" hollered the old woman. "Where have you been all this time? The last I saw you, you were ready to pop, you were so huge, and then, no word, no letter, no proper announcement! How could you do this! Just like your mother, disappearing without nary a word..." still shrieking, Grandma pulled Virginia and Cub through the doorway and it slammed shut. Wolf went to the door, his sensitive ears able to hear the conversation easily enough. He could make out Virginia trying to get a word in, telling her Grandmother that she had indeed met the 'father of the baby', but really, she must prepare herself now, everything would be explained, if she would just sit down a moment. Wolf heard Virginia's footsteps coming back up the hallway and resisted the urge to run away. He almost laughed out loud at his mate's resigned expression as she opened the door. He straightened and put on his best contrite looking face as Grandma caught sight of him finally.
"Why, Grandmother! I must say that you're looking even more radiant than when I last visited you" he said, desperately using all his considerable winning charms.
"You, you, it's him! Virginia! it's him! The one!" the old lady stammered, turning pale and leaning back against the wall.
"Please, dear lady, let me explain. It was all a terrible misunderstanding. You see, I have dabbled in acting from time to time, and when my darling Virginia told me that she thought you would be just perfect for the role I must confess that my first glimpse of your lovliness, your obvious presence, well it just made me want to rehearse the scene right there and then. I confess, you were playing your role so well that I, uh, became a tad overwhelmed and I fled in shame. Only afterward did my sweet Virginia so forcefully let me know that she hadn't had the time to discuss your starring role on Broadway with you..." Wolf trailed off breathlessly, staring deep into her eyes, hoping she would fall for the plainly stupid (to him anyway) ruse. He watched as the lies sank in, the stubborn old lady falling once more under his spell. She seemed to breath again and Wolf sensed Virginia relax behind him. Appealing to Grandmother's legendary vanity had worked before and it seemed to be working again. Wolf snorted softly to himself. Humans were so dumb sometimes, he thought. They would believe even the most preposterous explanations in favour of the all too obvious truth. Simply amazing that this race had come to dominate the Kingdoms.
"Ah, well, I was quite the actress in my younger days, of course! Who knew I still had it in me?" Grandma simpered, planting a big wet kiss on Wolf's cheek. He returned her smile through forced teeth.
"And this must be the baby. My only Great Grandchild! A boy, did you say, Virginia? And his name?" Wolf and Virginia stared at each other a moment, stumped. They had forgotten that Cub still didn't have a moniker.
"Oh, ah, umm" stumbled Virginia lamely.
"It's Caelum" said Wolf abruptly. He turned to whisper quietly to Virginia. "Caelum was my father's name". She thought she saw a glimmer of a tear in his eyes, but he dashed them away before she could do it herself. Grandma didn't notice their exchange as she had excitedly reached for Cub and he was now squirming on her lap as she sank down to the lounge. Grandma cooed and fussed over him and he rewarded her with one of his dazzling smiles. Virginia saw the old lady melt, as so many had done before her. Cub yanked a fistful of greying hair in his pudgy hands and slurped experimentally on Grandma's arm, seeing if she tasted as weird as she smelt. Evidently she did, and Virginia stifled a laugh at his expression. Lucky he was still mostly gums though. She would have to get Wolf to teach him about tasting people. She glanced over at her mate. He was standing looking out the window and she went to him quietly, winding her arms around him from the back. He leaned into her embrace, surprising her. It was nearly always the other way round. He did not like to show any of his upsets to her and she rarely probed him for them. He had spent considerable hours recently writing down a lot of his innermost troubles, she knew. Maybe she would be able to read them one day. The knowledge of his father's name was a significant step though, she realised. He guarded his parent's memories tightly and she couldn't really blame him for that, given what little she had seen when she had walked the dream road with Shaman a year ago. She had never told Wolf what she had glimpsed that strange day. The image of the boy sifting through the ashes was his alone to bear. For now anyway, she thought. He turned in her arms now and kissed her forehead in that proprietary way he had.
"Are you okay, beloved?" she asked, using his epithet for herself.
"Oh yes, little chop, with you in my arms, how could I be anything else?" he whispered in her ear suggestively. Virginia rolled her eyes. Even after a stressful day's events, he could still be guaranteed to be desiring of her sexually and to bring about the same response from her.
"Wolf! This is my Grandmother's house!" she whispered back at him in mock horror.
"Don't I know it! This is where we first met, Virginia. I had a meat cleaver, and you had a way of wielding that broom! Imagine, from that, to here! You were worth falling three stories for, though" he said softly, glancing involuntarily out the window to the alley below. He wondered if the doctor was still there. His thoughts were interupted by a cubbish giggle coming from the loungeroom. Prim and proper Grandmother was somewhat dishevled now, with her glasses on the floor, her hair mussed and little round pucker marks on her arms and neck. She beamed at Virginia and Wolf.
"Quite a charming little chap isn't he? Why, he's looking at me as if I'm just the tastiest Great Grandma in the whole world!"